Horse meat scandal: French lasagne supplier silent

The French food company that supplied frozen lasagne found to contain up to
100pc horsemeat to British supermarkets on Friday shut down its website and
declined to answer media enquiries.

Comigel's website has been taken down and on Friday showed only photos of some of its products - including a lasagne dish - along with a note saying the site was 'under construction and will soon be renewed'.

Comigel, based in the northern city of Metz, supplies frozen meals to supermarket chains and other clients in 15 countries, with Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia the main markets, according to industry websites.

Samples are now being tested for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone, a painkiller given to horses which can be dangerous for humans, the food agency said.

Erick Lehagre, the director of Comigel, declined to respond when AFP contacted the company for comment.

The firm's website has been taken down and on Friday showed only photos of some of its products - including a lasagne dish - along with a note saying the site was "under construction and will soon be renewed".